I don't believe he gives you want you want to the tune of a $5.75M annual hit over eight years with a no-trade clause. For that term, I'd have liked to see a lower hit. And a really didn't want to see an NTC on an 8-year contract.

Not being in love with the deal does not mean you're not in love with the player. I like Zajac; maybe not as much as some, but that's because my expectations for him to be a mini-Toews might have always been too high. I also think this notion that he makes the players around him better is somewhat unfounded, but we'll see how that plays out post-Parise.

I think having him and Henrique as the middle of this lineup for a long time is a great thing.

But I'm not in love with the contract, so automatically that means I'm not in love with the player. Much like the way someone who's critical of the Devils becomes a "fake fan" or whatever the nonsense of the moment is. Same Internet, Same **** since I started posting in NJD newsgroups in 1995. Although someone dropping "mongoloid" on me was new.

-Wysh

I feel like "mini-Toews" is exactly what Zajac has been since 2008. Toews's best season is only 9 more points than Zajac's, and Toews isn't much better defensively.

I feel like "mini-Toews" is exactly what Zajac has been since 2008. Toews's best season is only 9 more points than Zajac's, and Toews isn't much better defensively.

But yeah, post needs more "assclown."

Toews is a whole different level of player. Zajac is a critical element of this team though, and now can center Kovy for a long time. That chemistry is hugely important. Stability in talent situations like that can be hard to come by. Lou might have overpaid for that aspect alone, I would think.

Toews is a whole different level of player. Zajac is a critical element of this team though, and now can center Kovy for a long time. That chemistry is hugely important. Stability in talent situations like that can be hard to come by. Lou might have overpaid for that aspect alone, I would think.

I agree Toews is on another level. Zajac's offense simply will never be on par with Toews'. But as a MINI-Toews, I think Zajac fits that mold. His skill set is very similar to that of Toews but Toews' skills are just to a higher degree, if that makes sense.

Zajac has 255 points in 423 games. Jordan Staal has 248 points in 431 games. Staal got $6 million for 10 years from Carolina, and was originally offered that by Pittsburgh. If Staal's contract was 8 years long he would have no doubt gotten $6.25-$6.5

I don't even wanna hear from people that it's because he was a third line center for much of the time in Pittsburgh because of the depth either.

Fast-forward to 4:00 (or you could just watch the whole thing and enjoy)

Zajac best play was along the boards to get the puck to Zubi where he drew the penalty on Poni. Zajac"s numbers will never quite reflect just how good he is. 25/45/plus 25 should be where we will be. Watching that Vid amazing on the roster turnover in 2 years.

I agree Toews is on another level. Zajac's offense simply will never be on par with Toews'. But as a MINI-Toews, I think Zajac fits that mold. His skill set is very similar to that of Toews but Toews' skills are just to a higher degree, if that makes sense.

And what's Toews cap hit, and future look like? 6.3M per. Do you think Zajac is a million dollar less than Toews? Cause then his cap hit should fall to 5.3M. I'd make a case that the offense Towes brings to the rink is worth more than even a 1M difference... At this moment at least.

And at this point, both are (nearly) proven winners. Or at least have the ability and experience to be on long-season teams.

One of the good things about this is if Zajac starts racking up the points this year, then we don't have to worry about him leaving, and getting a monster contract because of what happened this season.

And what's Toews cap hit, and future look like? 6.3M per. Do you think Zajac is a million dollar less than Toews? Cause then his cap hit should fall to 5.3M. I'd make a case that the offense Towes brings to the rink is worth more than even a 1M difference... At this moment at least.

And at this point, both are (nearly) proven winners. Or at least have the ability and experience to be on long-season teams.

You can bet that this contract would have looked much different had it been signed, say, 5 months ago, with a couple extra years tacked on the end to lower that hit down. This is the new-new NHL and this contract reflects the landscape.

Comparing this and any future contracts with pre-lockout ones is not going to be applicable.